Pro players in real life

[Corner-Trap]

It's obvious that most people can't make a living off of just playing video games. So I was wondering what most pro players do for a living, other than play games.

Note: This isn't just limited to pro players in fighting games.

[final_cut]

I thought 'Pro' pretty much meant that you got paid to do that one specific thing. It would seem to me that in the states, the amount of people who can make a liveable wage from games are pretty few.

Do you mean 'Expert' players? Cuz that could be anything.

[Corner-Trap]

I thought 'Pro' pretty much meant that you got paid to do that one specific thing. It would seem to me that in the states, the amount of people who can make a liveable wage from games are pretty few.

Do you mean 'Expert' players? Cuz that could be anything.

Well wouldn't we consider players like Justing Wong, and John Choi pros? Yet they don't make an actual living off of games.

[Gasp]

sanford

[final_cut]

Yeah, that is what I was asking, do we need to define the adjective? Cuz even Miriam webster doesn't make it clear. I mean there are the MLG guys you see on MTV or whatever, I don't watch that shit, but they have these stupid rediculous contracts, and on top of that they advertise products like gaming mice or whatever.

On a side note, I don't really see pro fighting game players getting a contract from MAS or TMO or anything like that. It would be awesome, but yeah.

What DO these people do?

[epp1e]

The only fighting game currently that you can make a living off of is DOA4 via The CGS, sadly -_-. http://www.thecgs.com/

[El Maniatico]

The only fighting game currently that you can make a living off of is DOA4 via The CGS, sadly -_-. http://www.thecgs.com/

What? I thought melty blood or GGXX:AC was were all the sponsors were at?!

[Serpent]

They made a 4? I figured they just were making soft core porn volleyball games? I know they made 2 of those.

[Corner-Trap]

Isn't smash the number 1 fighting game played competitively? It's basically featured at every major(and minor) tournament on the planet. So I'm guessing it may actually be possible to live off it to some extent.

Button_m4sh:

Huh? Sanford?

[Grits'N'Gravy]

My friend Tim plays online poker all the time.

If he needs to get some extra money, he does freelance telemarketing. I think he does 5 hours or less a week of "real work".

[Corner-Trap]

My friend Tim plays online poker all the time.

If he needs to get some extra money, he does freelance telemarketing. I think he does 5 hours or less a week of "real work".

How does that work out? He must be an incredibly consistent winner.

[Grits'N'Gravy]

How does that work out? He must be an incredibly consistent winner.

He multi's sit n goes... like 6 at a time. Oh and he plays "full time."

Poker is a job, believe that shit.

[TheSix]

You can live off Starcraft and WC3...if you're willing to move to korea/china respectively.

[JALbert]

I would assume 'pro' means Professional, in that it's your profession, aka job.

So if you're making a living off video games, I imagine you play them all day.

[Corner-Trap]

He multi's sit n goes... like 6 at a time. Oh and he plays "full time."

Poker is a job, believe that shit.

I never liked poker, so I can't say much on it.

You can live off Starcraft and WC3...if you're willing to move to korea/china respectively.

What is WC3?

EDIT:

I would assume 'pro' means Professional, in that it's your profession, aka job.

So if you're making a living off video games, I imagine you play them all day.

Well the majority of "Pro" video game players don't actually make a living off of it. Pro video gaming doesn't function like other pro events(a la' sports).

[#reload]

warcraft 3

[Corner-Trap]

warcraft 3

Oh :xeye:

[Hoonyo]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lim_Yo-Hwan

[epp1e]

Yeah, in Korea if you're good at SC or WC3 you'll be getting more pussy thrown at you than if you were the neighbor of the crazy cat lady from the Simpsons. The top SC player bangs hotter chicks than most actors/singers in Korea.

[DropOff]

I hate those fags that play Halo 2 in tournies. Shit is mad-gay.

The kinda kids that win that shit seem really cocky for being good at Halo. I mean, come on everyone is good at halo.

[Plutoburn]

Didn't Creative sponsored some guy called Fatality or something?


Yeah, in Korea if you're good at SC or WC3 you'll be getting more pussy thrown at you than if you were the neighbor of the crazy cat lady from the Simpsons. The top SC player bangs hotter chicks than most actors/singers in Korea.

What you said is on the same level of dumbness as a Korean say that everyone goes to school in America fears school shooting.

[TheSix]

Yeah, in Korea if you're good at SC or WC3 you'll be getting more pussy thrown at you than if you were the neighbor of the crazy cat lady from the Simpsons. The top SC player bangs hotter chicks than most actors/singers in Korea.

For reals. Boxer and Yellow be surrounded by bitches(but moreso nerds).

4K Grubby(AKA the rapist) doesn't work at all. He gets his money from WC3 and on the side, is banging a korean model named PPG (http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/337/dsc00556sizedvq0.jpg)...who, get this, is also a pro (http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/4204/img9186sizedve2.jpg). The man is the best Orc player ever, banging her on the side (http://images.myphotoalbum.com/p/pp/ppg/ppgc/ppgca/ppgcassandra/albums/album05/DSC00821.sized.jpg), and doesn't do shit but fly around the world for tournies. And not a dime of the money comes out of his pocket. If I could live that life for just a week...I'd die of overjoydom.

[str[e]ak]

What you said is on the same level of dumbness

sorry, but i LOL-ed. :rofl:

[goodm0urning]

The kinda kids that win that shit seem really cocky for being good at Halo. I mean, come on everyone is good at halo.I'm not good at Halo.

[igotalottastuff]

Well if any of you guys play Magic, theres some people who make a living off of that. In fact Katsuhiro Mori, a pro magic player (who happened to win Japan National twice, Worlds once, 2nd in Worlds once), was banned from entering Magic tournaments last year (and lasts a year) from constant misplay. Though I honestly can't imagine that since most of Magic's tournament first place payout doesn't reach over $10,000.

Oh yeah, recently a 16yrs old guy won a huge MtG tournament, earning $40,000 :-O.
Nice chunk of change to earn in 3 days.

[DropOff]

I'm not good at Halo.
Have you tried using the shot-gun? It's like the main strat is "Crouch, wait for someone to walk into you and shoot them in the fucking face"

And the sniper rifle is like playing a flash game, point and click = shit dies.

Pretty much every gun has an easy way to rack up major points.

[Mystic_bash]

Bulletball.

[goodm0urning]

Have you tried using the shot-gun? It's like the main strat is "Crouch, wait for someone to walk into you and shoot them in the fucking face"

And the sniper rifle is like playing a flash game, point and click = shit dies.

Pretty much every gun has an easy way to rack up major points.I recently played Halo 3. A friend passed me the controller, but unbenownst to me, it was set with inverted controls. Thusly, I unintentionally provided my friends with an evening of fine comedy.

[Black Chanler]

Bulletball.

The only true sport on this planet.

[JUDDERMAN_]

I play TF2 competitively and we recently got picked up by this bigger organization. They payed for our entrance into this pay2play league and they are paying for our tournament entry fees too. We are in a tournament to place us in a professional division but for now we're just really really competitive :) as for what we do when not playing, most of us have jobs (I don't :sad:)

[zakky]

I think karma will come into play with a lot of examples shown here. I mean sure now a bunch of these pro-gamers seem to have a pretty sweet life, but once they are out of their prime the skills that they have learned will have gained them nothing. I know it's different in Korea with retired gamers and such, but I doubt that these pro Halo players and WC players will be big pimpin' in a few years. Also, I think this would be the shittiest lifestyle. Since they dedicate so much time to these games their lives are going to seem pretty fucking boring to people later in life. I sure as hell wouldn't want to talk very long to someone who described their style of 'zerg rush' or 'this one MLG season'.

I know this seems like a stupid post on a competitive fighting game forum but I've never really desired to be a pro gamer. If I was god-like at SF I wouldn't make a career out of it, but I would really enjoy the respect I got at local arcades, but that's just my opinion.

[ruin-]

Fatality makes a living off gaming :P I think he's made over a mil. He was in my first qw clan :)

[Sacr3D]

Koreans take sc WAYYYYYYYYYYY too seriously.. I don't know if I should call them losers or not.

[dropthesky]

You shouldn't they prolly think we take a lot of stuff over here way too seriously. Fatality is the poster boy of the American Pro Gamer. Boxer would be the poster boy of true Pro Gamer.

[TheSix]

You shouldn't they prolly think we take a lot of stuff over here way too seriously. Fatality is the poster boy of the American Pro Gamer. Boxer would be the poster boy of true Pro Gamer.

That's a bit....off. Fat's won games that are played worldwide. They just aren't RTS.

I don't care for the dudes attitude. But he has himself set. Wins a shitload of tournaments early on, and is now focusing on the business side of things.

Smart man. He knows you can't do that shit your whole life so he sets up other avenues for income.

I wish Boxers book would get a proper translation. You know you got it made when you got a book about your pro SC career :xeye:

None of these people are over 25(except fat maybe). They have the luxury of not having to worry about settling down and worrying about the real world(or "real" jobs).

[#reload]

Have you tried using the shot-gun? It's like the main strat is "Crouch, wait for someone to walk into you and shoot them in the fucking face"

And the sniper rifle is like playing a flash game, point and click = shit dies.

Pretty much every gun has an easy way to rack up major points.

no wonder the ogre brothers suck

/sarcasm

[AzN_Skater]

Isn't 'pro' any time you win any cash or cash-like prize in a tournament?

[ckrazy]

Isn't 'pro' any time you win any cash or cash-like prize in a tournament?

uhm NO!

You see a lot of poker player win tournaments but doesn't mean they are PRO if they win 1 tournament.

I think it up to you how you define professional but to me it would be one who not only understand (knowledge) but also perform with the best of the best at whatever it may be (sports,video games,etc...)

[rcaido]

I thought this topic was about manwhores...

[Grits'N'Gravy]

I thought this topic was about manwhores...

Yeah dude. Shoryuken.com, home of the Gigolos.

Are you serious?

[rcaido]

Yeah dude. Shoryuken.com, home of the Gigolos.

Are you serious?

Hey if you dont have game, dont hate the player...

[matrix9280]

I think karma will come into play with a lot of examples shown here. I mean sure now a bunch of these pro-gamers seem to have a pretty sweet life, but once they are out of their prime the skills that they have learned will have gained them nothing. I know it's different in Korea with retired gamers and such, but I doubt that these pro Halo players and WC players will be big pimpin' in a few years. Also, I think this would be the shittiest lifestyle. Since they dedicate so much time to these games their lives are going to seem pretty fucking boring to people later in life. I sure as hell wouldn't want to talk very long to someone who described their style of 'zerg rush' or 'this one MLG season'.

I know this seems like a stupid post on a competitive fighting game forum but I've never really desired to be a pro gamer. If I was god-like at SF I wouldn't make a career out of it, but I would really enjoy the respect I got at local arcades, but that's just my opinion.

:rofl: What does that have to do with karma?

[Seany_Boy]

I made a living off of smash bros for 5 months.

[XZalla]

Isn't smash the number 1 fighting game played competitively? It's basically featured at every major(and minor) tournament on the planet. So I'm guessing it may actually be possible to live off it to some extent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Hoang

[JALbert]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Hoang


So in his best year he pulled the equivalent of having a slightly above minimum wage job once you consider tax and travel expenses... not exactly amazing.

[TheSix]

So in his best year he pulled the equivalent of having a slightly above minimum wage job once you consider tax and travel expenses... not exactly amazing.

So you would rather work a 9-5 than do that in your early years when shit doesn't matter?

[Gasp]

Didn't Creative sponsored some guy called Fatality or something?


dude's got his own series of products.
shits serious

[JALbert]

So you would rather work a 9-5 than do that in your early years when shit doesn't matter?

If you look at one of the interviews the time he put into smash caused him to take an extra year in college... I can't knock the hustle for a dude in school, but it isn't really a viable profession

[MrBlank]

Bulletball.

never use this word without (A High Caliber Table Game)

[J Flo]

I heard that smash players like DSF(4th in socal) and HugS(3rd) aren't even in school...I can't imagine living off of tourney winnings especially if you play one game.

[MrBlank]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Gaming

so a 5 man team signing a 1mil contract sounds like some livable shit to me for being able to play a fucking game like a savage.

FPS games seems= to be the real money maker markets for pro gamers in the united states and european countrys.

[orochizoolander]

That's a bit....off. Fat's won games that are played worldwide. They just aren't RTS.

I don't care for the dudes attitude. But he has himself set. Wins a shitload of tournaments early on, and is now focusing on the business side of things.

Smart man. He knows you can't do that shit your whole life so he sets up other avenues for income.


The man has his own company making headsets, mice , whatknot and he's a beast at UT:tup: thats good foresight he knows his skills will degenerate eventually so he got a company to fall back on.

[TheSix]

You're not making nearly as much money playing smash as you are other games. It's not even in MLG anymore so it's back to community tournies like the rest of the FGC.

I'll be going pro at SC2. Believe it.

[Gouki7]

I'm not good at Halo.

Likewise :smile:.

[The_Trigger]

I bet those contracts are seriously messed up. You know that there's gotta be some stupid clauses in there where they have to jump through hoops to get that money. Or it'll all be in the form of investments in the company/product instead of any real green.

[HeaT]

pro player for competative pc gaming, for the MOST PART, just means you have attained a certain level of skill in a game...generally a very high level of skill...

pro athlete basically means you are doing it for a living...

fatality's products are pretty good, his sound card and headphones are rediculous...havent tried the mouse he has though...

http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?product=15037&campid=20445&WT.cg_n=Campaigns&WT.mc_id=8866

http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=437&subcategory=442&product=16618

im outi

Roberth

[Robust]

Dunno if I count as a pro, but most sf pros do not rely on games for income. Most have regular jobs/profession, or are enrolled in school. AINT DAT A COINKYDINK. You have to be extremely fortunate to pick up a game that is profitable enough to make a career out of. Even then, you must remain on top for a long time to retain the monetary compensation you seek. Seems too risky for my blood. However, WE FLY HIGH NO LIE, YOU KNOW THIS

[Corner-Trap]

I'm not good at Halo.

Whew, I'm relived. I thought I was the only one.

Have you tried using the shot-gun? It's like the main strat is "Crouch, wait for someone to walk into you and shoot them in the fucking face"

And the sniper rifle is like playing a flash game, point and click = shit dies.

Pretty much every gun has an easy way to rack up major points.

If it's that easy then why aren't you winning world tourneys in Halo? Sounds like easy cash to me.

I made a living off of smash bros for 5 months.

You should tell your kids about this amazing story one day.

Dunno if I count as a pro, but most sf pros do not rely on games for income. Most have regular jobs/profession, or are enrolled in school. AINT DAT A COINKYDINK. You have to be extremely fortunate to pick up a game that is profitable enough to make a career out of. Even then, you must remain on top for a long time to retain the monetary compensation you seek. Seems too risky for my blood. However, WE FLY HIGH NO LIE, YOU KNOW THIS

You're a regular placer at major tournaments = Pro

[Hoonyo]

You're not making nearly as much money playing smash as you are other games. It's not even in MLG anymore so it's back to community tournies like the rest of the FGC.

I'll be going pro at SC2. Believe it.

I'll start your fan club.

[Serpent]

It's viable for FPS. You really onle need to win a few tournies to be set for life. You can live off $1M capital easy with smart investments.

[Red_venom]

It's viable for FPS. You really onle need to win a few tournies to be set for life. You can live off $1M capital easy with smart investments.

lol

what fps tournaments even have that kind of pay out?

Just my opinion but the real consistent money for pro players, and what really makes people "pro" is in sponsorship of some sort. Obviously the Starcraft and WC3 players have teams that keep them on payroll and they are pro, some FPS players have corporate sponsors so they are pro..

But it really irks me to hear fighting game players called "pro." Like I understand if you just mean they are the best, but no one can live off tourney winnings from shit so they arent really professional they are just "the best"

[Murt!]

I hate those fags that play Halo 2 in tournies. Shit is mad-gay.

The kinda kids that win that shit seem really cocky for being good at Halo. I mean, come on everyone is good at halo.

Then perhaps you should start gettin that money that they are winning for such a skill-less game.

[Serpent]

lol

what fps tournaments even have that kind of pay out?

Just my opinion but the real consistent money for pro players, and what really makes people "pro" is in sponsorship of some sort. Obviously the Starcraft and WC3 players have teams that keep them on payroll and they are pro, some FPS players have corporate sponsors so they are pro..

But it really irks me to hear fighting game players called "pro." Like I understand if you just mean they are the best, but no one can live off tourney winnings from shit so they arent really professional they are just "the best"

The payouts and sponsorships are pretty big. I think you can net at least 6 figures for winning one, chances are more. I had a friend who was on a top 5 team, I'd have to look him up and ask, but I'm pretty sure if say there was someone that dominated on a Justin Wong type level over that period of time they'd have that money.

[DropOff]

Then perhaps you should start gettin that money that they are winning for such a skill-less game.
Maybe I don't feel like rounding 3 fags up to call a team. Games are for fun. That and I'd feel sooo dirty if I was some sort of respected Halo player.

*shudders*

[Corner-Trap]

Maybe I don't feel like rounding 3 fags up to call a team. Games are for fun. That and I'd feel sooo dirty if I was some sort of respected Halo player.

*shudders*

I'm sorry but you're just getting annoying now. Please calm down.

[Nando]

I love it when people get in fights for talking shit.
I'm not pro, but I get good and talk shit when I play at parties and such, people get mad, and get beat up, hahahahaha.

I would want to be pro, but school and job= :(

I respect pro gamers, but not the Fatasses who say they are just like athletes.

[DropOff]

I'm sorry but you're just getting annoying now. Please calm down.
Fuck yo thread.

[Serpent]

I love it when people get in fights for talking shit.
I'm not pro, but I get good and talk shit when I play at parties and such, people get mad, and get beat up, hahahahaha.

I would want to be pro, but school and job= :(

I respect pro gamers, but not the Fatasses who say they are just like athletes.

So you beat people at parties who don't play seriously, and then talk trash? Wow way to go champ. What are you going to do for your next trick, steal candy from a 2nd grader?

[orka]

get a real job with real pay, benefits and a future

[JUDDERMAN_]

get a real job with real pay, benefits and a future

Worry about yourself.

[Corner-Trap]

Fuck yo thread.

Well stop posting in it :lame:

[alphazealot]

You're not making nearly as much money playing smash as you are other games. It's not even in MLG anymore so it's back to community tournies like the rest of the FGC.

The difference between 2006 and 2007 money payouts for Smash is maybe $10,000, maybe. The largest prize payouts this year for first:
EVO World: $5,000
Midnight Gaming Championship: $3,000
Pound 2 (MLG Sponsored): $2,400
FC (MLG Sponsored): $2,000
SCC (MLG Sponsored): $2,000
VLS: $1,800
OC3: $1,600 (IRRC)

Compare to 2006:
MLG Finals: $10,000
MLG NY: $5,000
MLG regular season events (5 of them): $2,000
FC6: $2,000

Then tons of tournaments in the $500-1,500 range. Just talk to Renegade, hes holds the C3 monthly tournaments (well, use to) and with between 30 and 100 people at each event you can do the math, and thats monthly. A Smash player living just about anywhere in the US except Georgia can go to a tournament every single week. The best players do this and pull in hundreds of dollars each week. Sure, they won't make a living off of it, but they can still do enough to pay rent and cover any smaller expenses a student would have (which is the age most Smash players are, 17-23). Also, the money MLG gives Smash is rarely used to cover the actual prize payouts, meaning the $2,000 are actually the result of attendence at each tournament (attendence at each was over 200 people). More over the top 3 were only paid out at MLG finals, but the top 5 or 8 were paid out at every event this season that I've listed.

Finally, the top 8-12 Halo 2 Pro's from MLG pull in between 50k-150k a year (for 2006, Karma was the highest grossing Pro, pulling in somewhere around 120-130k) from winnings in ADDITION to their 250k 3 year contracts with the league. They can live off it. Deal.

[Asian Mike]

Isn't smash the number 1 fighting game played competitively?

No.

Maybe by kids though that never grew up with street fighter tho.

[alphazealot]

Actually I would say yes. I know that it only had the second highest total of people at evo world (270), if you look outside of EVO you see that Smash has numbers that no other traditional fighter can compete with.

This year alone:
EVO world: 270 (August)
FCD: 256 (July)
OC3: 210 (August)
Pound 2: 200 (cap) (June)
SCC: 200 (cap) (Sept)
VLS: 186 (Oct)

Even in Columbus Ohio the last tournament at MoMo's, that had other traditional fighters, Smash had over 50 attendants (2nd most there) and it was on a day that conflicted with a Midwest Circuit event, in other words the Momo's was simply local competition (well, a few people drove about an hour or two for it).

[ChunLi]

they hustle..but you didnt hear that from me

[Asian Mike]

Actually I would say yes. I know that it only had the second highest total of people at evo world (270), if you look outside of EVO you see that Smash has numbers that no other traditional fighter can compete with.

This year alone:
EVO world: 270 (August)
FCD: 256 (July)
OC3: 210 (August)
Pound 2: 200 (cap) (June)
SCC: 200 (cap) (Sept)
VLS: 186 (Oct)

Even in Columbus Ohio the last tournament at MoMo's, that had other traditional fighters, Smash had over 50 attendants (2nd most there) and it was on a day that conflicted with a Midwest Circuit event, in other words the Momo's was simply local competition (well, a few people drove about an hour or two for it).

The new generation of gamers population are scrubs and youngins that never played a traditional fighter. So nowadays, I'm not surprise smash has more players this being a new generation game and all.

[alphazealot]

Scrubs and youngins?

You know nothing.

[Return of Shiki]

The top SC player bangs hotter chicks than most actors/singers in Korea.

That's because Korean music and movies are terrible.

[TempestFox]

Halo is terrible.

I'll play anyone for money in Gears 2v2 w/ CaliPower as my wingman.

[Asian Mike]

You know nothing.

like you think smash is a real fighting? gtfo.

[bigwood]

the top professional halo team (final boss) has a contract of 1 mill, are sponsored by gilbert arenas (so they dont pay for any travel expenses nor tourney entry's), have won numerous cars, in addition to all the tournament prize payout
not only that but theyve made it to the finals of every single mlg tourny for the past couple years, winning most of them
and one member from that team has even started his own clothing and gaming accesories line
not to even mention the television series that covers the MLG circuit, btw
i think its safe to say that gaming can be a profession
and whoever that was that said halo requires no skill and anyone can be good at it, is ignorant and obviously has no knowledge what so ever about it


but of course this is shoryuken so DURR DURR DURR HALO SUCKS!!! FIGHTERS RULE!!! DERP

[Serpent]

the top professional halo team (final boss) has a contract of 1 mill, are sponsored by gilbert arenas (so they dont pay for any travel expenses nor tourney entry's), have won numerous cars, in addition to all the tournament prize payout
not only that but theyve made it to the finals of every single mlg tourny for the past couple years, winning most of them
and one member from that team has even started his own clothing and gaming accesories line
not to even mention the television series that covers the MLG circuit, btw
i think its safe to say that gaming can be a profession
and whoever that was that said halo requires no skill and anyone can be good at it, is ignorant and obviously has no knowledge what so ever about it


but of course this is shoryuken so DURR DURR DURR HALO SUCKS!!! FIGHTERS RULE!!! DERP

I said something similar earlier and someone posted that FPS doesn't have payouts or something.

FPS is on a different level than fighting games. The level of play is probably higher too because there is so much more money riding on it and so many more players. Most of it is corporate driven though, FPS are constantly being updated with improved graphics, so it's a huge source of revenue for the software developers and the hardware developers. If they can keep the interest high, they might as well do it. $1M payout is a drop in the bucket when you're making $250M revenue.

[¯¬ J a s e ¬¯]

FPS = First Person Shitters

[alphazealot]

like you think smash is a real fighting? gtfo.

Not that I care what your opinion is because you've already shown yourself to be supremely ignorant, but what do you consider "real fighting" to be.

[Juggy]

I've made a decent amount at local LANs for CS1.6, but that's it. CS payouts are pretty large, though. Nowhere near Halo level, but I'd rather get paid less and enjoy myself than suffer through playing Halo competitively.